Statistical interlude: Chris Long and the QB hurry

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jun 2, 2010 9:59 AM CDT

You might have caught this yesterday, but it's definitely worth covering again. The Football Outsiders crew examined defensive linemen and the QB hurry, unsexy cousin to the sack, for a piece at ESPN (unfortunately hidden behind their Insider wall).

It should be fairly obvious why the hurry is important, but dig what the numbers say:

Hurries aren't as immediately effective as sacks, in that they don't end plays, but they do affect quarterback play. Last season, the average pass play yielded 6.2 yards and a mean DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average, FBO's per-play efficiency metric) of 13.6 percent. When the defense hurried the quarterback, the average pass play gained 5.0 yards and averaged a DVOA of minus-16.2 percent.

It's hardly a state secret that the St. Louis Rams pass rush left a little to be desired last in 2009. However, the season did see a nice sophomore campaign from DE Chris Long, who picked up four sacks amidst a strong second half of the season.

Guess what? Long also led the Rams in QB hurries and his 20.5 hurries were a respectable total among his peers around the league. There's more. Long's 20.5 hurries represented 23 percent of the Rams' 89 total QB hurries, making him one of ten players with the highest percentage of his team's hurries.

What's this say about the Rams front four? It underscores the need for more help among the Rams front four, another defender that requires opposing blockers to double up coverage, freeing up Long to do more work behind the line of scrimmage. That could come either in the middle or on the other edge. Will the growth of players like Darrell Scott and the addition of an experienced vet like Fred Robbins make a difference in the middle? Can Flajole get contributions from the rookie trio of Hall Davis, George Selvie and Eugene Sims? Those questions will be answered soon enough.

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Very overlooked

aspect of his game. Some think he is a bust. I say he is a late bloomer. Should be hitting it really hard around 2015 when Sammy is lighting up defenses for our run to the SB.

They will notice and they will giggle.

by papapegasus on Jun 2, 2010 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

Wait, what's this

DE and OLB with their pass rushing is a huge need for the Rams????
Wish I had….the entire TST would have thought of that before the draft…Wait we did!
Sorry Long, wish you had more help.
I like the thought though- The interior line to draw more attention allowing Long to do more damage.
However, our interior looks best suited to contain the line of scrimmage rather than collapse the pocket and get to the QB. We will see.

by CaliRamMan on Jun 2, 2010 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

man i'm so excited

for the season to start! i love where spags is going with this defense. no “me-first” superstars, good chemistry and a lot of tough, good defenders. chris long will flourish this year and we will have a respectable defense… our front 7 look good if spags gets carpenter to play to his potential. get ready for the buckeye smackdown of carpenter, grant, diggs and laurinaitis! and hopefully vobora develops even more.

by douchiedude on Jun 2, 2010 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

Fred Robbins could be a huge upgrade

If Robbins can be anywhere near his 2007-08 season then C.Long will be successful.

by Thomas W on Jun 2, 2010 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

Good article and I know what you are trying to do is hard (find bright spots for the 2010 Rams). However writing things like “making him one of ten players with the highest percentage of his team’s hurries” is pretty unspectacular considering his company. I do think Chris Long has improved a bit but, he has yet to draw double teams on passing downs which makes him very average by NFL standards. Let’s see how losing our best defensive player helps out his stats. Let me say I respect you and the site but, other than a couple of players possibly making progress, all management has done is make this team weaker than the previous 1-15 team. We had all better hope Sam is the second coming of Dan Marino (and I am not joking a bit) otherwise we are looking at 0-16 for sure.

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Jun 2, 2010 10:01 PM CDT reply actions